New Delhi: After a brief abstention from work by Rohini Court Bar Association Monday, lawyers and senior police officers came together to resolve the dispute over the alleged manhandling and physical assault of advocate Kamaldeep and his associate at Mahendra Park Police Station on Sept 29.The Bar alleged that despite assurances of “strong and appropriate action” from senior police officers, a case was subsequently registered against Kamaldeep, leading to a cross-FIR and escalating tensions between the two sides.The Bar’s executive committee took up the matter with senior authorities and held a joint meeting with district judge Prem Kumar Bharthwal, other judicial officers, DCP North-West and DCP Rohini. During the meeting, the committee placed its concerns and demands, including a “fair and impartial investigation” through an “independent investigation unit” so that the matter was dealt with objectively and without bias.The Bar also sought assurances that “no such incident is repeated in future” and that the “dignity, safety and professional independence” of advocates were respected. It further called for “proper and effective coordination mechanisms” between the Bar and senior police authorities to ensure such situations were addressed promptly, besides “professional conduct and mutual respect” by police authorities towards lawyers.Executive member of the Bar Association Rohit Malik said the meeting took place after the dispute had escalated to the stage of cross-FIRs, adding that “it was a realisation that the matter could have perhaps been resolved through dialogue at an earlier stage.”The executive committee said the authorities had “positively considered” the issues and that necessary directions had been given, and subsequently called off its abstention.The decision followed the Bar’s Oct 5 call to suspend judicial work and bar police officers from entering the Rohini Court complex. The association, led by president Rajiv Teharan and honorary secretary Pradeep Khatri, said DCP North-West assured “strict and appropriate action”, but alleged a case was instead registered against Kamaldeep, terming it a “breach of trust”.
